(CNN) – At least one Staten Island resident doesn't agree with Anthony Weiner's assertion his mayoral bid is representative of the middle class in spite of the new sexting revelations.

Weiner was confronted by the voter right after telling reporters he would likely soon stop answering questions about his previous online relationships.
Identifying herself as a Democrat and retired New York City Department of Education employee, Peg Brunda told Weiner she spent 21 years as a teacher and then nine as an assistant principal. As a city employee, "had I conducted myself in the manner in which you conducted yours, my job would have been gone," Brunda said.

Brunda continued, "I don't quite understand how you would feel you have the moral authority as the head administrator in the city to oversee employees when your standard of conduct is so much lower than the standard of conduct that's expected of us."

For his part, Weiner asked Brunda whether she would be voting for him, to which she answered with a definitive no.

Weiner did not respond directly to Brunda's assertions. "I want to let your neighbors make the decision for themselves based on all of the information that they have," he told her.

Brunda in turn told Weiner that while he is trying to get the middle class vote, the middle class "cannot conduct themselves in this manner," she said.

Polls that had put Weiner close to or even leading Democratic front-runner Christine Quinn, the City Council speaker, have not been kind since it was revealed this week that he continued sending lewd messages and photos to women he met online even after his 2011 resignation from Congress.

The latest NBC 4 New York/Wall Street Journal/Marist survey shows Weiner down 9% points from the 25%-20% lead he had over Quinn in late June. Quinn now leads Weiner 25%-16%.

To Brunda, Weiner defended his refusal to bow out of the mayor's race, saying that politicians frequently encounter individuals who don't like them or something in their background. "That's the way the process works. But that does not mean I stop running because I run into a person who respectfully asked me a question and they disagree with me," he said.

"I don't stop running. I keep plowing ahead. Because the things I care about, I care about these communities."

soundoff(137 Responses)

Cutty

I wish more voters would "tell it like it is." This guy is an embarrassment to the US voting system.

July 27, 2013 08:18 am at 8:18 am |

timvervba

It is fine for Mr Weiner to care about his community. The question that Ms Brunda eloquently poses is whether a Mayor Weiner should meet the moral standards that all other city employees must meet. Mr Weiner seems to negate this as a consideration of public service.

July 27, 2013 08:18 am at 8:18 am |

Richard Hung

Anthony Weiner does not have any shame to confront the teacher, let us see how the voters vote. The way he talks proves that he will misbehave in all his life, the man is sick.

July 27, 2013 08:21 am at 8:21 am |

Jim Marler

This guy like a lot of our politicians has no shame. We don't need more creeps in our political systems.

July 27, 2013 08:35 am at 8:35 am |

Mike Brown

Weiner has shown that he cares about himself and little else.

July 27, 2013 08:54 am at 8:54 am |

bill paish

I live in Florida, If Wiener gets elected, Then NY can take over as the state with the most idiotic voters, and Florida will only be second in moron population.

July 27, 2013 09:02 am at 9:02 am |

chet

The only thing he cares about is money and his ego!

July 27, 2013 09:24 am at 9:24 am |

Manuel J.

So.... If he wins the election, he might as well resign, within the following year, since he will have broken city rules about misconduct. What a freakin' loser!!!

July 27, 2013 09:37 am at 9:37 am |

Pat

If NYers elect him they know exactly what they're getting and will deserve what they got – a liar with no morals and no sense of dignity.

July 27, 2013 09:49 am at 9:49 am |

Teachertoo

I agree. If any teacher *anywhere* in the United States was found doing what he has been doing we would be humiliated by the press and lose our jobs immediately. This is a no brainer.

July 27, 2013 09:50 am at 9:50 am |

MontanaTrace

New Yorkers will vote for Weener BECAUSE of his low moral standards. Weener should not be allowed in public and have to turn in his phone. He should lose his lawsuit and be further disgraced.

Now if Pee Wee Herman was running, we'd have real race.

July 27, 2013 09:56 am at 9:56 am |

Both Sides

No it isn't you care. It is that you can't get a job in the private sector and are watching out for number 1, yourself by trying to make a living on the public taxpayers! We all make mistakes and it would have been better to say this is what you do and your wife is okay with it and then people would have moved on or had stopped when you said you had stopped.

July 27, 2013 10:16 am at 10:16 am |

Donna

This disgusting, low life pig should quit while he is ahead.

July 27, 2013 10:18 am at 10:18 am |

Sokesky

What a narcissist. Total waste. He should bow out now.

July 27, 2013 10:27 am at 10:27 am |

Eioljg

He is selfish to put his wife through this ordeal, not to mention that his conduct is gross.

July 27, 2013 10:32 am at 10:32 am |

Canadian

Weiner is a very sick man and an embarrassment to society. I hope New Yorkers stop him from proceeding any further.

July 27, 2013 10:43 am at 10:43 am |

Realist

How would this perv handle similar pervs employed by the city ???

July 27, 2013 10:44 am at 10:44 am |

Steve

How come they're always 'remorseful' after-the-fact, when they find out they might have to find a 'Real' Job instead of the 'Cushy' Taxpayer Funded 'Public Service' jobs(?) that have a fairly decent salary & 'Excellent' Benefits – Dorks!!!

July 27, 2013 10:45 am at 10:45 am |

NoDoubt

Most politicians have done something in their past that is probably really stupid. However, he is an addict, and as such will probably use resources he gets through his job to continue his addictive habit, which is a major reason WHY he shouldn't be elected.

July 27, 2013 10:54 am at 10:54 am |

Brian

Actually, as a teacher she wouldn't have been fired. Placed in a rubber room, move to an administrative position, but not fired.

July 27, 2013 10:55 am at 10:55 am |

Mak

That voter made a very valid argument. Any other city or state employee would have been fired for the same conduct (and lets drop the partisan bs for a second) but he thinks that voters should overlook his conduct. And even if voters were to give him grace for his previous behavior, I cant believe he didn't learn from that bruising and did it repeatedly.

July 27, 2013 11:02 am at 11:02 am |

J Robinson

He is so persistent in his attempts to shift the message and categorize it into a state of irrelevance. But, as this woman quite eloquently represents, the message is relevant, because a public servant's service is only part of what we vote for. We vote for a person who reflects and represents our value system. Although that view is being challenged and will, perhaps, be replaced over time, it is not now reflective of who we are as a people.

July 27, 2013 11:31 am at 11:31 am |

Jan

He had no idea how to even answer her question, because to answer it honestly would be admitting he should not be running for this office.